The symbiosis between Catholicism and nationalism in Nineteenth Century Ireland was vital in shaping the movement towards self-determination. It was a hugely unifying factor in the founding of the new Free State and overcoming the trauma of the Civil War – whatever our difference on the national question, we worshipped at the same altar every…
Episode 22: Is a smartphone free childhood possible? The overwhelming evidence on the impact of digital devices on children’s mental health and development continues to mount. But is it possible to get the genie back in the bottle? In this episode of The Confession Box, Wendy Grace talks to one of the founders of a…
The manner in which two West of Ireland dioceses were merged last April has shown that the Irish Church leadership talks the talk of synodality but doesn’t walk the walk according to a leading theologian. Fr Eugene Duffy, theologian and priest of the Diocese of Achonry, writing in the Furrow that “After 900 years, two diocese Achonry…
Concerned that schools fail to acknowledge insights An Irish theologian has said that “paradoxically, the desolation and desires expressed in the Eurovision performances (of acts such as Nemo Mettler from Switzerland and Ireland’s Bambi Thug) validate the Christian insight that only God can satisfy human desires.” Writing in this issue of The Irish Catholic, Fr…
A group of big-hearted Confirmation students in Portarlington, Co. Laois have embraced the Christian spirit of the Sacrament of Confirmation by donating a portion of the gifts they received to other children in need in troubled parts of the world. Following their Confirmation, the Sixth Class pupils of Scoil Phádraig were so impressed by the generous…
After two days occupying the apostolic nunciature in Bogotá, protestors agreed to leave. They were protesting the violence of paramilitary groups against community leaders and Indigenous peoples and will now hold a meeting with the government about potential solutions. The group of about 15 activists got into the area on June 4, during a march…
Less than a week after Pope Francis called on people to recognise migrants as “a living image of God’s people on their way to the eternal homeland,” voters across Europe dealt a potentially serious blow to that vision by rewarding far-right, anti-immigrant parties in elections for the European parliament. While mainstream, pro-EU forces are still…
A national gathering will explore how black Catholics can “embrace the gifts” they bring to the church, particularly to the Mass, according to organisers. Some 300 are expected to attend the 2024 Lyke Conference, which takes place June 18 to 22 in Grapevine, Texas. The event, launched in 2004 and held annually for most of the years…
A sister from Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal has been appointed by Pope Francis as a Member of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches. Sr Mary T. Barron, is the Congregational Leader for the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA). The congregation considers the appointment to be “a great…
The Presentation Family in Cork celebrated the first profession of a new Brother on June 1. Antony Sahayampillai (28), a native of Sri Lanka, has been studying in Ireland for the past three years. Br Antony’s vows were received by Br Barry Noel, Congregation Leader of the Presentation Brothers. The Mass of Religious Profession was…